First Round Pick Anthony Castonzo Working Out with the Vets

ESPN’s Jeff Chadiha reports that Colts first round pick offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo is using his time wisely, that being working out with Colts vets like Jeff Saturday and Peyton Manning.

Rookie offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo knows he’s fortunate to be the first-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts this year. He has spent the past two weeks working out with Pro Bowl quarterback Peyton Manning and listening to tips from veteran offensive linemen, such as center Jeff Saturday.

He has gotten a jump on learning a playbook that is about as easy to master as a course in nuclear physics. Castonzo even saved money by staying with Colts wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez after arriving in town for team workouts.

Castonzo clearly realizes that the current NFL lockout could be stifling his development at this very moment. Instead, he’s gaining some advantages that other first-year players might not have.

“It is a great situation for me because I’m so close,” said Castonzo, who played at Boston College and grew up three hours away from Indianapolis in Hawthorn, Ill. “But I have talked to other guys and I know they’re frustrated. I talked to James Brewer [an Indiana offensive tackle who was the New York Giants’ fourth-round selection] and it’s hard for him to get to his team for workouts. I know Mark Herzlich [an undrafted linebacker from Boston College] and he’s frustrated because he can’t sign with anybody yet. It’s not an easy thing.”